updated 09:35 am EDT, Mon August 23, 2010

Exclusive: Samsung Galaxy Tab in live testing

Electronista today had the opportunity to spy a Samsung Galaxy Tab in live testing in Sydney, Australia. The device, spotted in the hands of an anonymous telco worker at a train station, matches up with the official description of a seven-inch, 3G-capable Android tablet. When asked, the employee couldn't provide details, though the very responsive UI supported notions the device is running the same 1GHz ARM processor as the Galaxy S.

Subjectively, the worker thought the device was "awesome," and labeled it "different" when compared to the iPad.

The appearance of the Galaxy Tab suggests it's getting closer to launch and that deals with carriers to subsidize the tablet with a 3G contract are likely worldwide. Vodafone has been tapped for at least the UK and now possibly Australia; Telstra and Optus are also candidates. In the US, it may be available through Verizon in addition to the possibility of being sold on its own.